Phillip Lim

Summer vacation? "No time!" laughs Phillip Lim, who, with five women's collections a year, a new men's line, and a just–opened New York City store, is charging full–speed ahead. He does make time for a party or two, though. At The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala in May, he arrived with model Irina Lazareanu in his–and–hers tus—hers being a thigh–high minidress. She also accompanied him to the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards, where he took home the Emerging Designer prize. But lest you were expecting another Victor/Victoria moment, think again. Ever–industrious Lim put his new muse in a slinky, floor–length number. "It's more fun to do the unexpected," he says. Even if it means working overtime.—JANE KELTNER